Welcome to My Blog.

Hi, great to have you here. This is my first post, well, the first one set to public viewing. I’ve been busy getting it all ready.

I share with you here my my adventures in drawing and painting on an iPad; as well as my art in traditional media: watercolour, ink pen, pencil…. With a scattering of my poems – mostly haiku and illustrations, along the way.

I’ve found some lovely art apps, with amazing mark making properties. I just tap to access: paint, oil pastel, pencil…and more. With my finger (rarely use a stylus) I sketch down lines, lay down paint; use tone and colour, and create artworks very similar in look and style to my works in traditional media: watercolour, pencil, gouache, acrylic….

I’m no techno whizz, and was glad to find apps, that are straightforward, and easy to use.  I talk more about these apps on my page, ”Some App Informaton“. 

I also sprinkle through my blog some drawing and writing tips: (more on my writing further along). Below is a selection of my iPad art to show the different media and styles I like to work in.*I often put more information on image captions about the art media used.

Drawing is a learnable skill

One, very important reason I want to have a blog (such a odd sounding word) is to help and encourage people (myself too) in their own art and writing adventures.

I’m always keen to help people learn to draw (my formal qualifications are on my “About” page) If you don’t have an iPad, a simple pencil and paper are fine for trying out some of my drawing tips and ideas; and to produce a finished drawing. As much as I love my new found art apps, can anything really surpass: paper and pencil!

There are slideshows and short videos on my blog, which I put together to demonstrate my drawing processes and various artworks.

There is a way to “look” and “see” which is vital to being able to draw well: a very learnable skill. I’m passionate on these matters, and they will certainly come up in my posts..better move on before I write a short novel about drawing!

About my Writing

I write poems and illustrate them and as with my art, and have become quite adept at fitting it all in between a hectic family life. As a mum of four boys (young men now); it’s not always been easy to do. My lovely husband, is also a great dad, which helps a lot.

In  “Write and Draw on the Run: the Way to Get it Done!”..I talk about how my words and pictures often unfold or perhaps – unravel! My home-life inspires me, and is a common theme in my art and words.

My poems, are prone to turn into handmade books, such as “Mother as Writer”.

I love to write haiku.
I’m very fond of small poetic forms; hmm perhaps, not so obvious from this long introductory post 🙂 There’s more about my writing and about me, on my, “About” page, and “Some App Information”. Also a snippet about me on my home/blog page sidebar.

The Online World, and Blog Building

Until about a year ago, (written in 2015) I knew little about social media, and didn’t have a email address and rarely used the internet – things have certainly changed!

I built my blog, on my iPad. I’m not very computer savvy at all, and rarely use one; very impressed with WordPress: their web/blog themes and support.

Arranging and setting up my content for my blog, has been a hugely enjoyable experience. I’ve learnt about: widgets (sounds like insects!) image files, responsive themes, how to make a picture gallery and so on..Also how to put in links; which I use frequently – it makes for easier navigation around my posts and pages.

A keyboard is always attached to my iPad. Not only is it great for extended periods of writing on a screen, but also prevents the iPad keyboard, popping up, when I’m working in the dashboard of my blog, and arrange my art onto the “Pages” app. I use this app a lot; more information on my page,  ”Some App Information.”

My iPad, among other things is: an art studio, gallery, art journal, notebook, sketchbook and a portal to a vast web galaxy. It reminds me of the Tardis in Dr.Who. Recently, I sat looking at my iPad art on the walls of the local cafe, and then at my little mini iPad (an iPad Pro 10.5”  2018 -2020) on the cafe table; and marvelled, how such a large body of work, came from this small device. There is a photo of  some of my artwork on the cafe walls near the top of this page.

My Art on Practical Things

With my iPad art, (when I have time!) I make bookmarks, ( I love books) cards, place mats …First I set up my artworks in the “Pages” app; then they are laser printed; usually onto glossy paper. I use a matt laminate (which I particularly like) or sometimes gloss to laminate them. I sell them locally. Love to see my art on practical things, as well as on the wall – and of course, in my small handmade books. *Since writing this, I’ve moved into printing more of my iPad art myself, and sometimes mix traditional and iPad media in the same pic. 

Conclusion: but Really Just the Beginning

My plan is to post here, every two to three weeks – perhaps more often, when time permits. I’ll see how it all goes.
I give thanks to God, for this blogging opportunity (actually, for everything); and I intend to make the most of it.

A beginning, yet also a continuation; a record of what I always do: draw, write, paint….

I hope you enjoy your visit.

Have a great day!